One of the many functions of the liver is to assist the digestive system, specifically by processing nutrients absorbed from our small intestines. When digested nutrients are broken down in the intestines, they are transported through the hepatic portal vein to the liver.

Our livers have a multitude of functions. They play a fundamental role in regulating metabolism, secrete bile acids for digestion, storing excess fats, and much, much more. However, one lesser-known function of the liver is its role in the human endocrine system.

Inflammation of the liver is commonly associated with a variety of liver diseases and is considered by many scientists as the main driver of hepatic tissue damage. Liver inflammation can be triggered by various liver diseases including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and can lead to the progression and onset of serious complications like severe fibrogenesis or liver cancer.

The short answer…yes! In this article, we’ll break down how the liver can help you lose weight and shave off some excess body fat. First off, it’s important to realize that one key function of the liver is metabolism – breaking down nutrients from food into substances available for your body in the form of fats, creating energy, can store this energy when necessary, or supply the energy to cells throughout the body.

The liver is your body’s primary filtration system. It metabolizes substances to garnish nutrients and detoxifies the body by removing harmful toxins from the bloodstream. To achieve this function, the liver receives this blood that contains nutrients from digestive organs in a vein called the hepatic portal vein.

Liver diseases have been continuously rising for decades now, at least partially due to ‘Westernized’ diets high in saturated fats and carbohydrates. Over 25% of individuals in the United States have some form of liver complications, and the presence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in western countries alone is between 20-30%. The most common of these liver complications include the following.

We’ve probably all heard the dangers of poor heart health and cardiovascular-related illnesses from our doctors or loved ones, and for good reason. Cardiovascular diseases, like heart attack, stroke, or other heart-related issues make up the leading causes of death globally, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives each year.

The liver is involved in heaps of processes in us humans, the crux of which is to metabolize toxins, nutrients, or that glass of wine at night we all love to have. And over time, poor dietary and lifestyle choices can dramatically affect these processes by increasing fat storage, inflammation, or stress in the liver, placing a massive burden on this very important organ. But what about optimal liver health? Why care about this? Well, for a bunch of reasons. But let’s start with the big ones. For starters, optimal liver health is associated with a quicker, more efficient metabolism which may help you trim some extra pounds and manage overall weight better.

Fatty liver diseases afflict over 25% of individuals worldwide today, and this prevalence continues to climb as diets become increasingly processed and fatty. While eating that candy bar or ice cream cone won’t kill you, it’s worth knowing which foods you should include in your diet to keep the liver healthy. Fatty liver disease can eventually lead to liver cancer, which has very little observable, early symptoms, but is extremely lethal – it is the fifth most common cancer in men worldwide, and only 17% of those with liver cancer survive.

Liver illnesses are caused by numerous issues - inflammation, elevated levels of dietary cholesterol or fats, viruses, drug-induced injuries, and more. The prevalence of NAFLD alone in western countries ranges from an astounding 20-30%. And while some therapies and medications are effective in mediating these diseases and their symptoms, other avenues are being explored and tested to enhance protection, treatment, and overall liver health.